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County to vote on statement supporting lawsuit against treasurer

LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County commissioners on Tuesday will consider voting on a statement of support for a lawsuit again by a statewide counties group that's attempting to recover the cost of a legal settlement it had to pay out over sexual harassmen

County to vote on statement supporting lawsuit against treasurer

LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County commissioners on Tuesday will consider voting on a statement of support for a lawsuit against County Treasurer David Gutierrez by a statewide counties group that is attempting to recover the cost of a legal settlement it had to pay out because of Gutierrez.

The New Mexico Association of Counties filed a lawsuit March 10 in state district court against Gutierrez, seeking to recover $68,000 and legal fees that were incurred as a result of settling a lawsuit against Gutierrez by one of his former employees. County government, following a personnel investigation, concluded that Gutierrez had offered the employee $1,000 to spend time in a hotel with him, a sexual proposition that also was sexual harassment.

County officials have previously said the lawsuit was settled by the NMAC, which is the county's insurer, for $68,000. Of that amount, county government had to directly pay a $10,000 deductible.

The NMAC's lawsuit seeks to recover a total of "$69,434.16 incurred in the defense of and settlement of the lawsuit filed by the county employee," according to county agenda documents.

"This resolution would provide a statement of support to the Association of Counties in its lawsuit to recover the expenses paid in defending and settling the lawsuit," according to the agenda.

The county commission also will vote on a statement of support in favor of the federal government granting formal tribe status to a local Native American group. The city council is set to consider a similar measure on Monday.

The Piro/Manso/Tiwa Indian Tribe of the Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe has been seeking to gain formal recognition from the U.S. government.

Tribal members say they had a presence in the area before Las Cruces was settled.

They've been seeking federal recognition since 1971, according to city council agenda documents.